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The massive corruption scandal involving “ghost” flood control projects has cast a shadow over what has otherwise been a...
10/10/2025

The massive corruption scandal involving “ghost” flood control projects has cast a shadow over what has otherwise been a period of substantial infrastructure progress in the Philippines, according to London-based think tank Capital Economics.

In an Oct. 9 report, Capital Economics senior Asia economist Gareth Leather said the controversy has raised governance concerns that threaten to undermine confidence in the government’s infrastructure program.

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Due to the pessimistic outlook from businesses related to flood control concerns, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ...
10/10/2025

Due to the pessimistic outlook from businesses related to flood control concerns, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has lowered its growth projection for next year to 5.3 percent, which is below the reduced target of six to seven percent.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. revealed in a One News PH interview on Friday, Oct. 10, that the central bank previously projected the gross domestic product (GDP) growth to clock in at a below-target 5.6 percent in 2026.

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Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) leads the nine Filipino companies included in Forbes Magazine’s World’s ...
10/10/2025

Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) leads the nine Filipino companies included in Forbes Magazine’s World’s Best Employers list this year, which consisted of 900 companies.

SMC was ranked at No. 42, the only Philippine company in the top 100, followed by Ayala Corp. (139), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (154), Land Bank of the Philippines (187), LT Group Inc. (421), Century Pacific Foods Inc. (453), Jollibee Foods Corp. (455), BDO Unibank Inc. (585), and Cebu Air Inc. (770). To determine the list, Forbes said it partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 300,000 employees in over 50 countries.

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The World digital identity project, co-founded by Sam Altman, is set to challenge a cease-and-desist order (CDO) from th...
10/10/2025

The World digital identity project, co-founded by Sam Altman, is set to challenge a cease-and-desist order (CDO) from the privacy regulator, warning that the decision is “alarming” regulatory setback that threatens its access to the local digital market.

In a statement, World, the digital identity project co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, announced it is set to file a motion for reconsideration against the CDO from the National Privacy Commission (NPC). The company called the regulator’s move a surprising reversal after a year-long compliance process.

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While gasoline price adjustments remain uncertain, the Department of Energy (DOE) noted supply growth in the United Stat...
10/10/2025

While gasoline price adjustments remain uncertain, the Department of Energy (DOE) noted supply growth in the United States (US) and other oil-producing countries.

According to Rodela Romero of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), plans to end the war in Gaza may also influence next week’s fuel prices. Despite this positive outlook, the US government shutdown, which would halt agency operations and services, along with other global developments, may further affect price adjustments.

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the planned offering by real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI...
10/10/2025

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the planned offering by real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sustainability-linked bonds to raise up to ₱15 billion for the payment of debt and funding of capital expenditures (capex).

The planned offering consists of the principal amount of ₱10 billion, with an oversubscription option of up to ₱5 billion, comprising 6.0671-percent per annum (p.a.) series C bonds due 2030 and 6.3192-percent p.a. series D bonds due 2035.

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The country’s leading group of information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) firms opposed the “premat...
10/10/2025

The country’s leading group of information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) firms opposed the “premature” identification of six companies that supposedly violated employees’ rights during the deadly 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, arguing that it could be detrimental to investor confidence.

In a statement, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) called out the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas, or Region VII, over their “irresponsible declaration.”

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The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has issued updated guidelines for the evaluation and appro...
10/10/2025

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has issued updated guidelines for the evaluation and approval of major government programs and projects (PAPs) by the interagency Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), streamlining procedures while strengthening the rigor of review and monitoring.

“The changes in the guidelines are intended to further streamline our processes, while ensuring a more robust review and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of projects,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who co-chairs the Cabinet-level ICC, told Manila Bulletin last Tuesday, Oct. 7.

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The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) pulled back on profit-taking before the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced...
10/10/2025

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) pulled back on profit-taking before the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced a rate cut at the close of trading hours.

The main index lost 41.34 points or 0.68 percent to close at 6,057.40 on Thursday, Oct. 9, although sectoral indices were equally split. Volume was relatively stable at 5.35 billion shares worth ₱6.51 billion as losers trounced gainers 135 to 72, with 55 unchanged.

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Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. struck a more dovish tone on the central bank’s policy pa...
10/10/2025

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. struck a more dovish tone on the central bank’s policy path, signaling that the latest quarter-point reduction to 4.75 percent may not be the final easing this year.

Remolona, in a press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 9, backtracked on his earlier, less dovish stance from the August meeting. “I’m withdrawing that comment. It’s possible there will be one more cut this year, but it’s also possible that beyond that, there will be more cuts,” he said. To note, the BSP decided to reduce the key interest rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.75 percent from the current five percent, citing weaker growth outlook owing to infrastructure spending issues.

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is moving to prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and retail ...
10/10/2025

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is moving to prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and retail sale of v**e open pods and uncertified e-liquids in the domestic market, citing health and safety risks.

In a statement on Thursday, Oct. 9, DTI said the agency is intensifying efforts to protect consumers from products that allow users to refill cartridges with uncertified e-liquids. In a move aligning with this objective, the DTI removed an open pod model from the scope of a manufacturer’s Certificate of Philippine Standards (PS) License, ensuring only compliant v***r product systems are available.

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Even as the Philippine peso faces pressure from foreign fund outflows, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) refuses to ...
10/10/2025

Even as the Philippine peso faces pressure from foreign fund outflows, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) refuses to defend the local currency unless its depreciation could lead to higher consumer prices.

According to the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), the peso weakened by 28.5 centavos to the ₱58:$1 level on Thursday, Oct. 9, closing at ₱58.235 from ₱57.95 the previous Wednesday, October 8.

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